KNOWING CHRIST AS JUDGE
A Sermon By Wayne Camp
Series Text: Philippians 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.
SCRIPTURE: Jn 5:22-30
TEXT: John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son
Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
INTRO: Judgment is a prominent theme in the word of God. The Scriptures abound with passages that declare God as the moral ruler of men and thus, the judge. And, Scripture often sets forth the fact that God's judgment will be in perfect righteousness. It will not be tainted by the prejudices of men and there will be no courtroom antics such as are often seen in modern day trials.
The Bible represents God as the judge of nations and individuals. It declares him to be the judge of men and angels. Scripture also reveals that he will judge the world by Jesus Christ. Christ will be the person who sits as judge and executes judgment. One of the rewards of his humiliation is that as the Son of man he shall sit in judgment upon a wicked, unbelieving world. They brought him before the Sanhedrin for judgment. They brought him before Pilate for judgment. They brought him before Herod for judgment. He has been judged again and again in the court of public opinion. But, one day, all who have been his judges and deemed him unworthy of their trust shall come before him in judgment. If we are to know Christ as we ought, we must know him as Judge.
There will also be a judgment of the saved at the judgment seat of Christ. Our sins were judged at the cross. Our works will be judged at the Judgment seat of Christ. Rewards & loss of rewards will be the result of that judgment. There is no way we could come into a judgment that involved condemnation for right in the middle of the passage we read a moment ago these words are found, John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
I. KNOW THAT THERE IS A JUDGMENT IN EVERY UNBELIEVER'S FUTURE
A. Jesus warned some that the judgment would be more tolerable for the wicked people of Sodom and Gomorrah than for them. Matthew 11:22-24 But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.
1. This passage does not mean the wicked residents will escape severe judgment.
2. Nor, as some have supposed, does it suggest their judgment is passed already in the fire and brimstone being rained upon them. That was only a foretaste of what is yet to come.
3. The verse obviously teaches that there is a judgment for all the unregenerate that is yet future.
B. Jesus set forth a future judgment of the wicked in his discourse with some who did not believe in him. John 12:48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.
C. God has appointed a time in the future when he will judge the world. Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
1. God appointed a time when the flood would come and it came.
2. God appointed a time when he would destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and he did.
3. God appointed a time when Israel would go into bondage in Egypt and they did.
4. God appointed a time when he would bring Israel forth out of bondage and he brought them forth with a mighty hand.
5. God appointed a time when Christ would be born in Bethlehem and when the fulness of that time came the Saviour was born there.
6. God appointed a time, a specific day and hour when Christ would be crucified and no man could kill him until his hour was come.
7. God has appointed a time when Christ shall come again and he will come then, not before and not after the day appointed.
8. And, God has appointed a day in which he will judge all unbelievers before he casts them down into the lake of fire for everlasting punishment and that day will come and it will arrive according to the Divine appointment.
D. This will be an awful day for unbelievers for it is specified as the time when his wrath and righteous judgment will be revealed. Romans 2:5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
E. David wrote of this judgment with emphasis upon the fact that it will be in perfect righteousness, to the line and to the plummet of Divine standards. Psalm 9:7-8 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. 8 And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
1. The fact that his judgment is yet future should not mislead any into thinking it will not come. Psalm 50:21-22 These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.
2. This judgment in righteousness will certainly come. Psalm 96:13 Before the LORD: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth.
F. The wise man Solomon also warned that God would bring men into judgment for their sins. Ecclesiastes 11:9 Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Ecclesiastes 12:14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
G. Paul paints a word picture of this terrible judgment. 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
H. John gives a more extensive description of this judgment of the wicked. Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
I. It is abundantly evident that there is a terrible judgment ahead for unbelievers.
II. KNOW THAT THERE IS A JUDGMENT IN EVERY BELIEVER'S FUTURE
A. We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Romans 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
B. We will every one give an account of ourselves to God at this judgment. Romans 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
C. We will be judged according to our works since we were saved, not according to our sins. 2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
D. Paul describes the judgment of the Lord's preacher's at this judgment which probably sets the pattern the judgment of other of God's children. 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
III. KNOW THAT JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD AND THE SON OF MAN, WILL BE THE JUDGE IN EVERY JUDGMENT
A. God the Father has delivered all judgment into his hands. John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.
B. That Christ will be the judge is an Old Testament doctrine as well as being taught in the New Testament. Psalm 9:7-8 But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness.
1. Isaiah prophesied that Jesus would be judge. Isaiah 11:1-4 And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD; And shall make him of quick understanding in the fear of the LORD: and he shall not judge after the sight of his eyes, neither reprove after the hearing of his ears: But with righteousness shall he judge the poor, and reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall smite the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips shall he slay the wicked.
2. Jeremiah prophesied that Jesus would be the judge. Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will raise unto David a righteous Branch, and a King shall reign and prosper, and shall execute judgment and justice in the earth.
C. This judgment was committed to the Son by the Father for, among other things, his glory. John 5:22-23 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
D. Peter declared that he and his brethren were commissioned to preach that Christ was ordained to be judge. Acts 10:42 And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
E. Paul, in his famous message delivered to the Athenians from Mars Hill, declared that the man Christ Jesus would be the judge. Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
F. Enoch preached that Christ would come and judge the wicked. Jude 14-15 And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
G. It is evident from the charge which Paul gave to young Timothy that Christ will be the judge. 2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom.
H. It is obvious from his warning to false professors and religious leaders that Jesus Christ will sit as judge. Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
I. Jesus Christ is commissioned to judge and to make war against the wicked. Revelation 19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. Jude 15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him.
IV. KNOW SOME REASONS FOR THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BEING THE JUDGE RATHER THAN THE FATHER OR SPIRIT
A. It is because it is fitting for his people when before the judgment seat that one who has faced all that we face is our judge. Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
B. It is because it is fitting and rewarding to the Son that, since his humiliation came in his humanity and his crucifixion was the crucifixion of his humanity, that he judge the world in his humanity as well as his deity.
1. It is as God that judgment has been committed to him. John 5:22-23 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 23 That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him.
2. It is as man that he shall execute it. Acts 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
C. It is right that the one who suffered so much at the hands of men be the one who executes judgment upon them and casts them into the lake which burns with fire and brimstone.
1. Jesus Christ will be the one who says, Depart from me. Matthew 7:23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
2. Jesus Christ will be the one to whom every knee shall bow. Philippians 2:10-11 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
D. It is fitting that those who have not believed on the Lord Jesus Christ be delivered up to him for judgment at the great white throne when he sits in all his awesome splendor. Revelation 20:11-15 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
E. It is fitting that he should be the one to cast all the wicked into the lake of fire that burns with fire and brimstone. Revelation 21:6-8 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son. But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
CONC: Many want to know Christ as the meek and lowly Jesus who was born in a stable and laid in a manger and went about doing good. And, I assure you he is that person. Some will give lip service to both his humanity and his deity and understand the necessity of both. Some will even concede that he is the one and only Saviour. And, you may know him as Saviour. But, your knowledge will not be complete, your understanding will not be perfect, your appreciation for his glory will fall far short, until you know him as judge, as the judge of his people rewarding the faithful, and as the judge of the wicked, handing down the awful sentence of everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, the second death. I would implore you in the words of the Psalmist, Psalm 2:12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
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Last updated on Thursday, May 15, 2003
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